Page 31 of Queenslander
Ronnie scratched her neck. She needed a shower.
Nonna looked at Reg, then at Ronnie.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
Reg glanced at his mother, then back at her. “Did you ask about sharing custody? Is that why she went off?”
“No.” That wasn’t a conversation she looked forward to having.
She had no appetite, but served herself chicken parm on spaghetti bolognaise anyway, to make Nonna happy.
Blaise met her eyes across the table. “I’ll send you a list of lawyers tonight.”
“Thanks.”
Her grandmother reached over to pat her leg. “We’re sorry that you have to deal with this, darling. We’re here for you. We’ll support you.”
“Thanks, Nonna.”
“I’ll pay for the lawyer.”
“No,” Ronnie rushed to say. “Really. I have money.”
Reg rolled his eyes. “Ask the lawyer if there’s any chance they can get you full custody.”
“They can’t. I don’t know how she’s such a good mum. I keep expecting her to do something horrible to Rainbow, but she hasn’t.”
Divorce was like that sometimes, she had heard. Some shitty exes were okay parents. At least she and Maude had been in agreement from the start not to use Rainbow as a weapon. They had done one thing right in this dumpster fire of a relationship.
“Stay away from her, Brum.”
Ronnie swallowed. He stopped going through her phone years ago. Hadn’t he?
“Aunt Suki saw pictures of you two on a boat at Lake Tinaroo. Cover your ears, mum. No more booty calls. You’re not like your brother. Now’s not the time to sabotage yourself when your life is about to turn a corner.”
What corner?“She didn’t ruin my life, I did. I’d rather be who I am, where I am, than who he is, where he is.” This was mostly true.
Reg scowled at her. The women passed parmesan and pepper around the table.
“If you’re a masochist, join a BDSM dungeon or date a cop.” Reg worked himself up. “If her mother sees those pictures she’ll drive circles on my lawn. You’re a good girl and you need to look good. Your reputation is in rehab. Protect your reputation like your life. Go on dates with nice girls.”
“I went on dates last week.” One didn’t go anywhere, but the other turned into a second location and an overnight in a fancy hotel.
“How did those go? Any second date material?”
She shrugged. “They seemed nice.” The doctor had been a fun time.
“But they live in Townsville? That’s a load of nothingburger. That’s not happening. Find a nice girl who lives five minutes away. Someone who likes animals, long walks in the rain and adores you. Someone reliable. No drama. Boring is good in a partner.”
Blaise agreed.
“I’m not looking for a partner.” Casual dating was one thing. Inviting a stranger into Rainbow’s life was unthinkable.
“Because you have Nev.”
“Come again?” Ronnie said.
“You’re not looking for anything serious because you have... Forget it. Rainbow has to be your priority.”
